How to Insert a Page Break in Excel Easily and Correctly
Knowing how to insert a page break in Excel is essential when preparing spreadsheets for printing. Page breaks control where one printed page ends and the next begins, helping you organize data neatly across multiple pages. Without proper page breaks, Excel may split tables awkwardly or print data in an unreadable format.
This article explains what page breaks are, why they matter, and how to insert, adjust, and remove them in Excel.
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What a Page Break Is in Excel
A page break defines where Excel starts a new printed page.
Page breaks help you:
- Control printed layout
- Prevent rows or columns from being cut off
- Improve readability of printed sheets
- Organize large datasets into sections
Excel uses both automatic and manual page breaks.
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Switch to Page Break Preview View
Page Break Preview makes page breaks easy to see.
To access Page Break Preview:
- Open your Excel worksheet
- Click the View tab
- Select Page Break Preview
Blue lines show page boundaries.
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Insert a Page Break Using the Page Layout Tab
This is the most common method.
To insert a page break:
- Select the row below where you want the break
- Or select the column to the right of where the break should appear
- Click the Page Layout tab
- Choose Breaks
- Select Insert Page Break
Excel adds a manual page break.
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Insert a Page Break Using Right-Click Option
This method is quick and convenient.
Steps include:
- Right-click the row number or column letter
- Choose Insert Page Break
The break is applied instantly.
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Move a Page Break Manually
You can reposition page breaks easily.
To move a page break:
- Go to Page Break Preview
- Click and drag the blue line to the desired location
- Release to apply changes
This allows precise control over print layout.
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Remove a Page Break in Excel
Page breaks can be removed when no longer needed.
To remove a page break:
- Select the row or column near the break
- Go to Page Layout
- Click Breaks
- Choose Remove Page Break
Automatic page breaks cannot be removed individually.
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Reset All Page Breaks
If your layout becomes confusing, reset everything.
To reset page breaks:
- Go to the Page Layout tab
- Click Breaks
- Select Reset All Page Breaks
Excel returns to default print settings.
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Insert Page Breaks Using Page Setup
Page Setup gives more print control.
Useful options include:
- Adjusting margins
- Setting orientation
- Scaling the sheet
- Viewing page breaks in Print Preview
Page breaks work best when combined with proper page setup.
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Preview Before Printing
Always preview to confirm page breaks.
To preview:
- Click File
- Select Print
- Review page layout
Previewing prevents wasted paper and ink.
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Common Page Break Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common issues:
- Adding too many manual page breaks
- Forgetting to preview before printing
- Ignoring column widths and row heights
- Mixing manual and automatic breaks excessively
Simple layouts print better.
Also Read: How to Insert a Footer in Excel Easily and Correctly